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Welcome to the Historic Irvington Website

Welcome to the new Irvington website. This website is designed to be an on-line place where residents and those interested in Irvington can go to communicate and to stay abreast of the "goings on" in Irvington. Return here often to read news and stories about your neighbors (and local shop owners), view pictures of interest to Irvingtonians and check calendar events pertaining to activities in and around Irvington. But don't simply be a passive participant, help to provide content to this website by participating on the on-line message/discussion board. In addition, if you have ideas for stories or know of events we should add to our calendar, please let us know by clicking the "Submit stories/events." Or you can click the "Contact Us" link above to send us an email message with suggestions about this site. Thanks for being a part of on-line Irvington. - webmaster Important Irvington Meeting scheduled: A VERY IMPORTANT meeting that will greatly impact Howe Academy and its future will be held at the Irvington Presbyterian church Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7pm. This informational meeting concerns the petition drive related to the IPS bond issue. The bond issue will affect improvements to Howe and other IPS buildings. The improvements are for the building only and not for any of the athletic facilities. This will help things like science labs, facility renovation and updates, and technology to help students get an education that is not inferior to the other IPS schools.

Wave of Compassion for Tsunami Victims sweeps over Irvington

As you visit the various shops in Irvington over the next several months, you will find that many of them are displaying a container for collecting money to be donated to the Tsunami relief efforts in the Indian Ocean area. The youth group from Downey Avenue Christian Church (which includes youth from Holy Spirit and Our Lady Of Lourdes) have set a goal of raising $10,000. In addition, Irvington's Yoga guru Lisa Daugherty has scheduled a Yoga evening where you can do something good for yourself AND donate money for Tsunami relief. Yoga night is scheduled for January 26 at 7pm at Downey Avenue Christian Church (enter through the door on the south-east corner of the building).

MAKING THINGS: A BOOK OF DAYS FOR THE CREATIVE SPIRIT

The wonderful shop at 11 S. Kitley is featuring a book signing on April 23. Keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and all of the other important days of your life in this colorfully illustrated book of days. It is the perfect gift for mothers, daughters, sisters or friends. Meet Janet and see samples of the original artwork from the book, Making Things. Also available, WOW! Wool-On-Wool Folk Art Quilts, Janet's how-to book that has just been revised and updated. For more information you can call 317-352-7711

Downey Cooperative Preschool Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Downey Cooperative Preschool, located at Downey Avenue Christian Church, 111 South Downey Avenue, is hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 1, from 11:30 to 2:30pm. The open house is in celebration of the school's 40th anniversary. The preschool is one of the 13 such schools in Indianapolis. At cooperative preschools, parents take turns assisting teachers in the classroom, and as a result, they learn more about their children, as well as how to be better parents. Cooperative preschools are parent-run - from cleaning the classrooms to running the board meetings. This can mean a big investment of time, but the parents at the co-op insist the investment is worthwhile. "Co-op has given my kids a positive outlook on going to school," said Angie Burck, the co-op's membership chair. Burck's daughter, Hannah, age 4 is currently enrolled in co-op. Her two older sons are now students at Holy Spirit Catholic School. "As a parent, I'm more invested in my children's education than I might have otherwise been. I've had an opportunity to get to know my kids better, as a result of my involvement." After the children graduate from co-op, many parents claim the benefits continue. The co-op is usually where active school involvement begins, and parents learn to advocate for their children's education. "After leaving co-op, it's a natural progression to become more involved at my kids' school, volunteering both inside and outside of the classroom," said Amy Friedly, whose three children first attended Downey, and now are students at IPS' Center For Inquiry. "Since I've been so involved from the beginning of their education, I'm not sure I would have chosen a school in which I wouldn't be welcome to walk into the classroom." Downey Co-op's Open House is open to alumni - parents and students - and many former teachers plan to attend as well. Call 317-359-3418 if you have questions or need directions.

Paper Recycling Now Available in Irvington at Our Lady of Lourdes School

Look for the yellow and green "Paper Retriever" bin in the back parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes School, 30 South Downey Avenue, and start saving your paper to recycle here in Irvington. Our new paper recycling program will accept all clean and dry newspaper, magazines, catalogs, office paper, school papers and mail (envelopes with windows and all "junk" mail). It does not include cardboard, phone books, plastics, glass, metals and trash. This is a free service to the community. Please help us have a successful program as we work together to save landfill space and become better stewards of the earth and its resources.

Celebrate Irvington Day, June 4th 2005

Saturday, June 4th is "Celebrate Irvington" day. Activities will be going on all day in Irvington. 9am: 3.25 mile run/walk starting at Ellenberger park 9:30am - 12:30pm: Jr. Tennis League Registration & Swim Team demo at Ellenberger 9:30am - 4pm: Irvington Chalk Art Event (call 322-3813) Artists $15/ families $8 1pm - 4pm: IGA Collectors Show and Auction at the Irvington Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St. (free, call 322-3813) "Acoustic Concert" at Ellenberger 6pm - 6:45pm: Kevin Friedly and Joe Cunningham (finger-style blues and Gospel blues) 6:45pm - 7:30pm: Donn Smith 7:30pm - 8:30pm: Rick Freeman (of the "Spirtles")

Small-Matthews Foundation for the Arts Organizes Fund Raiser

The Small-Matthews Foundation for the Arts invites everyone to its first, light tasting luncheon and raffle on June 18th from 12:00am to 4:00pm at 222 S. Downey Avenue (Missions Apartments) to provide monies for Howe Scholarships.

Irvington - A Foreigner’s Perspective

I live in Carmel and grew up in Broad Ripple. Let’s get that out of the way right up front, so you can spend a moment deciding where you think my biases reside. Good. Now we can continue. I’ve spent a lot of time in Irvington in the last few years and met a number of people there, and the area continues to intrigue me.

Poems, Poets & Poetry at Lazy Daze - Tuesday, September 6th 7 p.m.

Our Work: If you write, you’re encouraged to bring some of your work. We’d like it if every week someone brought something to read and discuss. Poetry should be vital and fun. When we read someone else’s work we’re never more aware that we’re not alone. Their Work: Bring your favorite poets or poems with you to read and discuss. We may look at Walt Whitman, Alan Ginsberg, T.S. Eliot, Richard Brautigan, Basho, Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones), Charles Bukowski, e.e. cummings, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and many others. Questions: If you’re interested in questions like “Why was poetry a vital part of American life in the past but isn’t today?” or “What is a poem?” or “What can a poem be?” or “What does it mean to call art bad or good?” then you should make it a point to come. Keep in mind: Questions are good. Answers are temporary. This is not a “poetry slam.” This is not an “open stage.” This is not public performance. There is no microphone, no stage, and no audience. All those categories just get in the way. Everyone is a teacher. Everyone is a student. And everyone is welcome.

Irvington Halloween Festival 2005

The weather prediction looks good for this year's Irvington Halloween Festival. Everyone should plan to spend the day wandering Washington Street between Ritter and Audubon between 10am and 5pm, October 29, 2005. There will be numerous events including the much-requested Irvington Ghost Tour led by Alan Hunter. For more information on the Ghost Tour see http://www.irvingtoncouncil.com/2005irvingtonghosttours.htm. Also go to the the Irvington Community Council website for more details about the festival events http://www.irvingtoncouncil.com.

Meet and Greet "Too Many Cooks!" Team at the Legend

Irvingtonian Patti Denton, Host of "Too Many Cooks!" radio show, along with Co-Host Gary Bravard, and Producer Molly Head, will be at a show "Meet and Greet" at The Legend on Wed., Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. The local public radio program about cooking, cuisine, and entertainment airs Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. on WICR 88.7 FM, and is live with call-in. The Legend will be offering a "Too Many Cooks!" lunch special that day for those who attend. Additionally, Irvingtonian Pam Frazier will also be on hand; Pam is the program's graphic designer.

Luminary Night for Downey Avenue Christian Church

Sunday was Luminary Night in Irvington, traditionally held on the Sunday before Christmas. Residents of the Indianapolis Historic Neighborhood lit luminaries that they placed along their sidewalks and driveways. Local Boy Scouts volunteered to set out and light luminaries throughout Ellenberger Park. Santa gave out candy canes to children riding in the family car, admiring the glowing outlines of yards and homes. Neighbors hosted gatherings for family and friends. Even the diehard Broomball players had to forgo the regular Sunday pickup game to participate in this holiday tradition, much to the dismay of those players who live in other parts of town.

As I reflected on this today, I thought about other recent events in my life. Friday evening, my church burned while I sat in a downtown restaurant eating double pan-fried noodles with my husband. We laughed and teased about our secret Christmas plans for each other. His sister’s phone call informed us of the fire, and our entire evening changed. We finished dinner and walked to the car, both knowing but not saying that we wanted to drive past the church on our way home.

Driving down Washington Street, we saw the red flashing lights from several blocks away. After driving around the block and parking, we joined the pastor and other church members who needed to be there. Melted windows revealed the gutted back rooms of the church, its gothic skeleton revealed. Unable to go inside, people verbally inventoried those items that reflected their personal connection to the church. What about the pipe organ? The mural in the Sunday school classroom just below the burned area? The hymnals? The things that we touched and used every Sunday were possibly destroyed. I thought about the day exactly three months earlier when I had been married in the Sanctuary. My husband had played the piano that now stood in inches of sooty water. I mourned for the generations of his family that had congregated here.

So what does any of this have to do with Luminary Night? On that night, a candle that provided light and warmth to us on one of the shortest days of the year was ultimately destroyed, melting away as it burned. However, in that small act of destruction, we found our connection to each other. We waved at our neighbors while we gingerly folded back the top inch of each bag, wondering if it would be as windy as last year. We stayed home and listened for the carolers who always come by the house. We stepped out onto the porch to see Santa wave and jingle his bells. We left our homes on a cold winter night to laugh and drink and be merry. The simple act of lighting a fire brought us together.

And so it was with Downey Avenue Christian Church. Something lit a fire in our church home. We stood together on the sidewalk hoping that it would survive. We gathered Sunday in someone else’s sanctuary and enjoyed their hospitality. We sang Christmas carols and ate candy canes. We slowly realized that a fire’s destruction leaves space for new life to emerge. The people of Downey Avenue Christian Church had begun to rebuild.

Fire At Downey Avenue Christian Church

On December 16th 2005, a fire started in the women’s dressing area of the church. Fortunately the fire department was alerted early and the damage was confined to the Choir room, dressing rooms, organ pipes and baptistery, all of which were totally destroyed. The chancel area and sanctuary sustained heavy water and smoke damage. While this is very disheartening and a challenge for all, the congregation is overwhelming thankful that NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE BLAZE!

The congregation has been overwhelmed by the offers of help and assistance during this time. The entire community has opened its heart and the people at Downey have felt very supported. There were more choices of places to worship than could be accepted. Blessings in this time have been many. The restoration crew is taking care of all of the work being done and insurance coverage has been adequate. At this time, there is not much that the neighborhood and congregation can do physically. Prayers are all the minister and congregation ask for at this time. Updates to this site will continue to allow the community to help when the need arises.

Restoration and clean up of the education wing of the church is going very quickly. This area of the church sustained mostly smoke and some water damage. The office, preschool and other classrooms in this part of the building needed cleaning, but little was lost in the way of equipment and contents. We hope that by the week of January 16th the cooperative Preschool will be back in session. We plan to resume worship in Century Hall on January 29.

For more specific information please visit Downey's website at www.downeyavenue.org

Long-time Irvingtonian, Ray Stewart, Dies

Friends jokingly referred to Ray E. Stewart with the apparent oxymoron “militant Quaker.” Even at an advanced age, the former Irvington resident did not tolerate what he believed to be injustice. In his 80s, he wore sandwich board signs in downtown Indianapolis while solo picketing against war, unfair treatment of the Palestinians and even the Friends United Meeting — the latter over an internal Quaker matter. He was a frequent writer of letters to editors and to the President. Stewart, still enormously active, died Jan. 20 just a few months short of his 90th birthday, Activism belied a gentle spirit in Ray Stewart. He had a marvelous sense of humor, loved to bake pies, and lovingly cared for his wife Marjorie as she suffered from Alzheimer's disease before her death a number of years ago. The Stewarts lived on North Sheridan, raising three children, and later on the parkway south of Pleasant Run Golf Course. He was for 28 years a utilization coordinator with Indiana Gas Company.

Historic Help Wanted

Did you try to plan your daughter's wedding? Did you serve on the Prom committee? Did you help plan your high school reunion?

If so, the Irvington Historical Society (IHS) hopes that you would like to help us plan the biggest event to hit Irvington since cows roamed Ellenberger Park! The IHS is planning a gala fundraiser (Black Tie optional) to be in November, and you could be a part of this historic event! If you are the fun, energetic, hard-working, gala -event-planner type, then we need you! Please join our high energy planning committee to be a part of history in the making. Fifty years from now , future Irvingtonians will look at black and white photos of us and say "back then, they knew how to throw a party!"

We really need your help, so please contact Jessica Ewing at 509-4170 or by email at jessica.wacker.ewing@gmail.com for additional information about the different committees and to join us.

Katrina Fund-Raiser Draws Large Crowd to Lazy Daze

On a perfect night, a large crowd gathered at Lazy Daze Coffee House to help raise money for a work trip to the Gulf Coast. A group based in Irvington is making another trip to the Gulf Coast to perform Katrina cleanup work. The group of around 20 is leaving on June 18 to spend a week in Gulfport, MS. A majority of the goup comes from the Irvington area with special support from Downey Avenue Christian Church. The group held a fund raiser in front of Lazy Daze Coffee House on Friday night, June 2. The locally-based band "Audio Diner" (with Michelle Haddix) performed for the assembled supporters. Three members of the band are part of the team going down to Mississippi. More than $800 was raised to support the trip. Lazy Daze provided the location plus 10% of all sales for the evening were donated to the trip by owner Jeff Coppinger. In addition, John Robertson, owner of "The Legend" restaurant created a special dish he called Gulfport Gumbo which he was selling friday night and donating 50% of the sales to the trip south. The group expressed deep appreciation to both "Lazy Daze" and "The Legend" as well as all the other supporters who attended the event. Be sure to watch this website for LIVE reports from the Gulf coast from June 18 through June 24.

Art Exhibit at the Bona Thompson, May 5 through July 7, 2007

Wet & Dry - Works on Paper Artwork by John R. Oilar & Vandra Pentecost May 5 - July 7, 2007 Opening Reception: Sunday May 6, 2 - 4 pm An exhibit of architectural ink renderings and figurative drawings in graphite,conte and pastel.

2007 Irvington's Benton House Tour of Homes

On Sunday, September 9, 2007, Indianapolis-area residents will have the opportunity to tour some of the charming residences and historic buildings located in Irvington during the Benton House Tour of Homes. Tour times are from Noon to 5 P. M. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 the day of the tour event. The Benton House is located at 312 S. Downey Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219. Tickets can be purchased at the Benton House or at any house on the tour. Please check the website for specific information and directions. This website is located at: www.thebentonhouse.org. The Benton House's telephone number is 317-357-0318.

Irvington-based Company Renovation Resources Offers Monthly Electronic Newsletter

Renovation Resources, an Irvington-based firm providing Renovation Consulting and Architectural services, is pleased to announce the offering of a monthly electronic newsletter. The newsletter is free of charge and designed as a community service intended to educate, inspire, inform and motivate homeowners wherever they are in the Renovation process. To receive your free subscription, visit the Renovation Resources website at www.renovation-resources.com and click on the Newsletter tab near the top of the page.

Numerous Irvington Businesses Nominated for Channel 6 (WRTV) "Best in Indy" Competition

Our good friends at "Lazy Daze Coffee Shop," "The Legend," The Bread Ladies," "DuFour's" and "Snips" are all nominated to compete for the Channel 6 (WRTV) Best Small Business competition. You can vote for these fine businesses by clicking the following link: http://wrtv.cityvoter.com/.

Irvington Haunted Tours

Tickets are now on sale at Lazy Daze Coffeehouse. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for 12 and under. Click HERE for more dates and times and additional information.

Meet The Candidates

Again this year the Irvington Community Council is hosting a Meet the Candidates Night. With just four days before the election, this may be your last chance to hear from the candidates and personally discuss issues that are important to you.

Friday evening, Nov.2, starting at 7:00pm in the Bona Thompson Memorial Center (5350 University Avenue., 353-BONA) you will hear about city-wide and Irvington issues from the candidates for Mayor for the City of Indianapolis, City-County Council District 21, and City-County Council At-Large. After each candidate steps down from the soapbox, you will have time to shake their hand and discuss one-on-one the issues important to you while enjoying a sampling of food from Irvington's newest eatery - Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza (5646 East Washington Street, 356-6612).

We have confirmation that all the candidates are planning to attend tonight’s event, with just one exception that we are working to confirm now.

We hope see everyone tonight for what should be a very fulfilling evening of issues and pizza.

Renovation Resources Aims to Help Irvingtonians "Think Green"

Jeff Echols of Renovation Resources has recently completed the requirements to become a Certified Green Professional (CGP). From the National Association of Homebuilders: "The National Association of Home Builders' Certified Green Professional designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction. Classwork leading to the designation provides a solid background in green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers, from the organization leading the charge to provide market-driven green building solutions to the home building industry."

Our Lady of Lourdes Chess Club Hosts Public Tournament

Our Lady of Lourdes Chess Club will host its next tournament on Monday, April 28th. Arrive any time between 3:05 and 3:55. It ends at 5:30 and is in the cafe. Cost is $2.00 for OLL students, and $3.00 for non-students. This is open to anyone in grades K-8! Call Kieron Mitchell with questions: 317-430-5254.

Beautify Your Garden with Annuals from the Irvington Garden Club

Help us beautify Irvington by beautifying your garden with annuals purchased from the Irvington Garden Club. Money from the plant sale will go towards Irvington Garden Club beautification projects in Irvington.

This year the Garden Club is pushing purple and white petunias. WHY? They smell so good and are pretty besides. Please help us carpet the neighborhood with petunias!!

Visit the Irvington Garden Club at the Bona Thompson Conservatory 5350 University Ave., on any Wed, Fri, Sat 11-4, before April 17th. While you are at the conservatory check out the other plants available for summer and container plantings. You can also visit the website: http://groups.msn.com/IrvingtonGardenClub.

15th Annual Hope Fund Benefit

A Taste of the Irvington Area and Silent Auction Saturday, April 26, 2008, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Irvington Community School, 6705 E. Julian Avenue Ticket cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Children 12 and under free.

Antique Mall of Irvington's ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE

Come Celebrate their 11th Anniversary in Irvington! Saturday, May 3rd, 10 am to 6 pm Door Prizes! Refreshments! Special Sales!

Celebrate Irvington Day, Saturday, June 7

There will be activities all day around Irvington. Music at the Lazy Daze Coffee Shop as well as special events at other Irvington "hot spots."

8th Annual Irvington Garden Tour

When: Sunday June 29th, rain or shine Time: 1pm- 5pm 10 beautiful gardens on display, this includes the Historic Benton House and the inside garden at the Bona Thompson. In many of the gardens we will have artists capturing the beauty of the garden they choose, once completed the paintings will be displayed at the Bona Thompson and sold.